Staff Reports
In a stunning turn of events, federal judges have decided to take matters into their own hands and draft new congressional lines for Alabama. Why, you ask? Well, it seems that Alabama lawmakers had the audacity to not create a second district where Black voters could have a majority voice. Can you believe it?
BREAKING: Federal judges blocked Alabama's new congressional map after lawmakers refused to create a second district where Black voters came close to comprising a majority. https://t.co/3IaFr9MbIh
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 5, 2023
The Republican-controlled Alabama Legislature thought they could get away with drawing new lines this summer, even after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the finding that their previous map violated the U.S. Voting Rights Act. Talk about playing with fire!
The three-judge panel, not impressed with Alabama’s antics, ruled that the state should have not one, but two districts where Black voters have a fair shot at electing their preferred candidates. They even wrote it in plain English for the lawmakers: Black voters need to be the majority or at least come close to it. It’s not rocket science!
But alas, Alabama lawmakers decided to do things their own way. They passed a new map that only maintained a single majority-Black district and slightly increased the percentage of Black voters in another district. Clearly, they missed the memo on what “close” means.
During the hearing, the judges didn’t hold back their frustration with Alabama’s refusal to play by the rules. Judge Terry Moorer directly called out the state, saying they deliberately chose to ignore their instructions. Ouch, that’s gotta hurt!
But here’s the kicker: Alabama’s solicitor general had the nerve to argue that their map actually complied with the Voting Rights Act and the Supreme Court decision. Can you believe the audacity? It’s like they’re living in an alternate reality!
One attorney representing the plaintiffs in the case pointed out the obvious: Alabama chose “defiance over compliance.” They urged the judges to reject the state’s map, highlighting how Alabama had essentially turned its back on its Black citizens. Can you say, “ouch” again?
Now, Alabama is expected to take this all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Good luck with that! Maybe, just maybe, they’ll finally learn their lesson and start doing things the right way. Until then, we’ll be here, shaking our heads at their stubbornness. Stay tuned for more absurdity in the world of politics!
